Length of Pull (LOP) - How to Determine Best Fit

[Phil3]

How does one determine best LOP for shooting off a bench? I recognize how important it is to fit the rifle well to ensure good shooter performance, so want to ensure LOP is correct. I have seen this.

https://www.masterclassstocks.com/lengthofpull.html

That approach yields 14.75" to 15.0" for me, a long ways from the usual 13.5" or so many stocks I have. I am 6' 1" and sleeve length is 34 - 35, if that helps.

This video below, at the 0:50 mark talks about LOP as well.

I tried this, but it seems to be set up for shooting from standing. I did not have anyone with me to aid, so results on this were inconclusive.

I do recognize that extending the LOP will force my head back, and the scope along with it, so watching to make sure the scope can move as needed for a good sight picture.

I can get a new stock that works for me, and have the LOP modified for a very nominal cost... Far, far less than an adjustable LOP mechanism.

Thanks.

Phil

 

[AJC]

I have seen people be measured for shotguns but I dont know if that is even close to bench work. I was thinking about getting measured as i do a lot of off hand shooting in siloett. Your physical size does not change so other than a bit more comfort it might work.

 

[Shawnba67]

For prone shooting I found I need about an Inch more stock than I would on a hunting rig. I also found for my f class rifle that adjustality was super helpful.

 

[Zero333]

I can shoot good with shorter than optimal length of pull, but I can NOT shoot well if the LOP is longer than optimal.

 

[muleman69]

I can shoot good with shorter than optimal length of pull, but I can NOT shoot well if the LOP is longer than optimal.

I'm with you on the lop. Then of course there is winter when we have everything we own on

 

[ToddKS]

I think LOP is a personal thing. There are some general rules of thumb but everyone is shaped differently. In the end if I am comfortable and my head is positioned such that my eye is consistently where it needs to be behind the scope then I think I have the right LOP.

If you think your LOP may be short just add some length temporarily via spacers, etc. and try it to see how it feels/performs.

 

[yukonal]

For prone shooting I found I need about an Inch more stock than I would on a hunting rig. I also found for my f class rifle that adjustality was super helpful.

All my F-Class and prone rifles have at least a 1" longer LOP. For general hunting, a shorter...13-1/2-14" lop works for me.

 

[JohnKielly]

Whatever you trim to, it will be ½" too short - according to Murphy's law.

 

[grovey]

All my scopes are mounted as far back as possible, so adding more lop would create more problems than it would solve in my case. I know a factory stock is a tad short for me at 6'2", but I hate straining/crawling up a stock trying to get the correct sight picture.

 

[Intheshop]

Very slight tangent.....

There is so much in print on fitting shotguns that it's definitely worth reading about. It may not check all the rifle fit boxes,but there is a lot of crossover.

 

[Drop Port]

Get fitted by someone reputable, it is the single most important thing you can do and has variables. You will be asked your primary shooting purpose, position, shooting season, clothing etc. They will also watch you shoulder the firearm set the toe / heel and determine cheek / sight height a properly fit rifle is much easier to shoot.

When teaching a young person to shoot its the first thing I do before a shot is fired. Think of playing T-Ball the first thing the coach does is find a bat you can swing, golf is the same fit you for a club first.

All of my first firearms have been let out several times, my 1100 has more black fitted spacers than I wish to look at.

 

[NorCalMikie]

The "proper" LOP is what's comfortable to YOU!! You need more room than most? Space it and go from there. Forget the rules. If it doesn't feel right, it isn't.

 

[KMart]

Get fitted by someone reputable, it is the single most important thing you can do and has variables. You will be asked your primary shooting purpose, position, shooting season, clothing etc. They will also watch you shoulder the firearm set the toe / heel and determine cheek / sight height a properly fit rifle is much easier to shoot.

Gun fit is a much overlooked part of the shooting sport and it really shows particularly in shotgun shooting.
But, it also applies to rifle shooting.
In the early 80's, I drove to Warsaw Mo and was fitted with a shotgun stock. Fred Wennig was running the shop for Fajen and I spent half a day with him with me mounting the gun. He would watch every mount, then put the stock back in the vise and take a wood rasp make adjustments.
After getting the stock home and going to the gun club, the gun shot where I looked and , to my surprise, the felt recoil was cut in half. By adjusting the pitch, cast, LOP, drop at the heel and drop at the comb, he got the recoil directed so that you didn't get popped in the face, nose or other places and the shoulder absorbed all the recoil, as it should.

 

[MGYSGT]

Just buy one of those shotgun or AR length of pull adjustable but pads. They work great and are fairly simple to install. Just drill a hole in the center of the butt for the adjustment rod. Mount the plate. Scribe the plate with the butt stock outline. Take it off and grind to shape and then reinstall. Way easier than it sounds and you get three way adjustment.